In an unstable and worrying international context, the new presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France will go to the Holy Land from August 16 to 20. This first trip marks the start of the mandate of Cardinal Aveline, with the mission of testifying to the solidarity of the Church of France towards local Christian communities. Thus, by coming to meet the peoples, she wishes to work in peacemakers, in this region affected by the war.
Inès Muller – Vatican City
The presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France announced to go to the Holy Land from August 16 to 20. In the aftermath of the Festival of Assumption, the French bishops wish “Manage the support of our Church, not only to Christian communities but also to all friends of peace». This trip comes in an extremely painful and uncertain period marked by the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and by the expectation of the release of Israeli hostages.
The first gesture of the mandate of the new presidency of the conference
Gathered during their last plenary assembly in Lourdes, the bishops of France elected Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, archbishop of Marseille, to the presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF). Elected for a three -year term, the new president took office on 1is Last July. To mark the start of this new mandate “We wanted the first gesture of the mandate to visit the Church that lives in Jerusalem and throughout the region“He said. The CEF declares to wish to intensify its efforts in the Holy Land, “in order to ensure the peoples of this land, especially the poorest, the material and spiritual support they need», Specifying himself to all peoples regardless of their convictions or their religions.
A message of hope, like predecessors
A delegation of French bishops had already gone to the Holy Land last April, with Cardinal François Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio and referent bishop of international cooperation, led by the former president of the Conference of Bishops of France, Mgr Éric de Moulins-Beaufort. The bishops had declared having “met people in great suffering, without hope with a human sight“, While adding that”Their future in the Holy Land is a little more compromised every day». Their wish during this trip was to demonstrate the presence of the Church of France in order to meet actors of dialogue, while being the voice of communities from what they had seen and heard, by encouraging actions for peace and justice. “”We too, bishops of France, wanted to be ambassadors of this paiX, “they added.
These words refer to the Pope’s message during his first appearance on the evening of his election to the central lodge of the Saint-Pierre basilica, wishing “A disarmed and disarming, humble and persevering peace». Successively, Léon XIV renewed his words, inviting to entrust this commitment to the Virgin so that she helps us to be “ Sentinels of mercy and peace».
The presidency of the Conference of Bishops of France, for its next trip, highlights hope: “We entrust the prayer of all this pilgrimage of hope», Echoing the theme of this jubilee year.
Before leaving Jerusalem, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline and the Patriarch Latin Pierbattista Pizzaballa will hold a press conference on August 19 at midday.